Sensor performance

The color depth score is satisfactory at 20.8, meaning a good range of colors for your images;

The dynamic range score of 10.6 is normal for a micro-4/3 camera, meaning that there’s good contrast amplitude between darker and brighter grayscales;

The low-light ISO score of 703 is comparable to other micro-4/3 sensors, and DxOMark measurements show that the micro 4/3 sensors are not the best in lowlight conditions.

Comparisons

Panasonic GXI vs Panasonic G3

When comparing the Panasonic GX1 vs the Panasonic G3, another micro-four-thirds camera in the same line, we get the exact same behavior. But, this was to be expected as both cameras are build around the same sensor.

Now let’s take a look at how the GX1 compares to its Sony and Olympus competitors:

We see here that the GX1 has some serious competition. The GX1 scores slightly better for low-light and dynamic range than the Olympus Pen EP3 - and while the differences are slight, they clearly show that the GX1 has one of the best 4/3 sensors currently available.

This all said, the Sony NEX 5N - itself a hybrid - is technically better in every respect, thanks to its APS-C sensor.

Conclusion

To conclude, the Panasonic GX1 is an intuitive, easy-to-use hybrid, and a good, compact choice for fans of beautiful photos. Its only real problem is its significant loss of image quality at high ISO.

Finally, what to choose when faced with cameras using current 4/3 sensor technology or cameras using APS-C sensors, especially now that the latter is not particularly more cumbersome than the former? There are still a lot of questions about micro-four-thirds sensor technology, and we expect that a lot more ink will be spilled in lengthy discussions before there are any definitive answers, especially with Canon launching the G1X featuring a sensor slightly larger than a micro-4/3.

Further readings for the Panasonic Lumix GX1 review: the latest Panasonic micro-four-thirds to the test

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.